Stay the Course

Genesis 22:1-2, ESV

1After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.

When Abraham set out from his homeland to head into the unknown, I doubt he ever imagined that his obedience would lead him to such testing. Sometimes the initial obedience, the starting out, isn’t really that hard at all. Sure, it takes time and effort and planning—and it definitely takes faith—but it’s exciting and hope-filled and adventurous.

However, after walking with God for more than 30 years, I believe it’s not the starting that takes the most faith—it’s the staying. It’s staying fixed to the course of obedience, like Abraham, when things take longer than we thought. It’s staying fixed to the course of obedience, like Abraham, when things seem to go awry and we have no clue what God is doing. It’s staying fixed to the course of obedience, like Abraham, when that obedience requires great sacrifice and pain.

Starting requires faith, but staying grows faith.

We might think, God, you didn’t tell me it was going to cost this much; but if God were to tell us the full cost from the beginning, would we have followed?

The cost tests us, and testing grows us. Testing matures and completes us (James 1:2-4), so we aren’t lacking in who we need to be as God’s promises and purposes unfold in our lives. And rest assured, God’s promises will unfold...

Genesis 22:16b-18, ESV

because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

So stay the course. The blessing will be worth the testing.